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Harvey Rodgers
06/18/1929 — 08/21/2015
From Kennewick, WA | Born in Sidney, MT
Harvey Rodgers
Harvey Rodgers went to be with his precious loving wife Fran on 8-21-15. He was born in Sidney, Montana on June 18, 1929 to Clarence and Helen Thiel Rodgers.
He attended school in Sidney until his senior year, when he moved to Sunnyside WA, where he graduated in 1947. Later that year he became a member of the Operating Engineers Local 370 Spokane; at the time of his death he had been a member for over 60 years.
His first job as a heavy equipment operator was working on a dam at Coulee City which formed Banks Lake. In 1948 he married Grace Cole of Sunnyside, WA. They had two sons; Jerry and Gary. Harvey worked on some road jobs and then worked at Hanford for several years as a crane operator. In 1959, he went to work for Valley Ready Mix Concrete in Sunnyside then moved to Richland where he continued to work for them as a foreman at the gravel plant which produced aggregate for concrete and asphalt. After 31 years he retired in 1989.
He and his wife Fran whom he married in 1970, spent 16 winters in Yuma, AZ, where they enjoyed the mild weather; making new friends in their park and at the Bible Baptist Church. Fran enjoyed teaching crafts in their park.
Harvey is survived by his son Gary Rodgers and his wife Brenda of Richland, WA; grandson, Stuart Rodgers of Phoenix, AZ; daughter-in-law, Patty Rodgers of Richland, WA; step-daughters, Carol Owens of California; Valerie Gillingham of Kamloops, British Columbia; Vicki Arnhart of Oregon City, OR; and Cindy Daily of Kennewick, WA; step-sons, John Nelle of Oregon City, OR; Ron Nelle of Oregon City, OR and Willy Nelle of Yakima, WA; sister-in-law, Dorothy of Sidney, MT; 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fran Rodgers of Kennewick; son, Jerry Rodgers of Richland; brother, Ted Rodgers; father, Clarence Rodgers of Electric City, WA; step-father Bill Petty of Sidney, MT; mother, Helen Thiel of Petty Sidney, MT; and step-mother, Nina Rodgers of Lynnwood, CA.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday August 26, 2015 at 11am with viewing starting at 10:30am at Temple Baptist Church in Richland, WA. A graveside service will follow at 1:45pm at Sunset Gardens in Richland.
Prayers and grace to all those who mourn the unfathomable loss of Harvey Rodgers. A precious saint and servant of Jesus Christ. He was a generous, selfless man… a doer of the Word and a servant to many. I am grateful to have know him, and Jerry.
Surly the angels are singing at the sight of his sweet face.
Condolences from the Boness family . Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Harvey was a wonderful friend to my dad, Wally Brown. He became our friend as well and we had many conversations at my dad’s house in Benton City and on the phone. Harvey and my dad spent many birthdays together since they met in 1982. They were a week apart in June. When we had dad’s birthday we always had a cake for Harvey and they both sat at the head table. Our family will really miss Harvey.
My heart goes out to you Vicki and family. There is a lot of fun memories of Harvey, especially when we were teenagers LOL!. Harvey always had a smile.
Hugs and Love Patty Morrell (Bentley)
Rest in Peace Harvey. The United Blind of Tri-Cities will miss your smiling face at our monthly luncheons. Say “hi” to Fran for us. God did bless yiur life! We love you, Harvey!
I hold you in my heart Harvey. Thank you for the years of love, for being my precious brother and spending time with me. I will greatly miss your presence, your voice, guidance, stories, and laughter. May Almighty GOD bless you. Your sis, Nina XO
Dad , you left me so many memories , life will never be the same without all your funny stories. Thank you for taking special care of Mom during her last years with us. Thanking you for being that special guy that took care of all of us kids! Rest in peace – love you! Vicki
Harvey was a loving, faithful, generous, God-loving man, husband, father and friend. It was a privilege to have had his sweet presence in my life for the past 40 years. Funny, self-effacing and willing to laugh at himself, those 40 years were filled with good times, spiritual talks, loving encouragement and acceptance with unconditional love. No one doubted where they stood in his love through thick and thin. Being an example for those who come behind is not always an easy task but Harv leaves a legacy of faith in God and a savior, love, faithfulness, integrity and care. We had an opportunity to visit and spend time together just a short time ago when I was in Washington for a visit. I will cherish that time together. Though his presence will be greatly missed here on earth by those who love him; we, who have the same hope in our savior, believe we will see him again. Joyfully we understand he is with his Lord, beloved Fran and those who went before.
We are so saddened and sorry to learn that Harvey has left us. We all know that he had a bad heart, and that he lived many years beyond, what one would expect. Just a few days ago, he told Steve that he hadn’t been able to do his “walk” any more. Will also miss his weekly hug at church, as he was such a faithful friendly man at Temple Baptist Church. He always maintained an interest in people, and Harvey and Fran were so generous, and caring. They have left a legacy of Christian love, & genuine care and concern……. to a host of children and grandchildren that might choose to replicate and grasp, what they represented and believed.
We loved you Harvey you will be greatly missed.
I John 5:11-13
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Harvey Rodgers